In this engaging discussion, Robin Hanson, an economist and author, delves into the hidden motives that drive human behavior. He reveals how we often mask our true intentions from ourselves and others, likening the brain's left side to a press secretary spinning narratives. The conversation uncovers the complex interplay between admirable and less admirable reasons behind our actions. Listeners are encouraged to reassess their understanding of motives, highlighting the importance of social perceptions and our innate need for connection.
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insights INSIGHT
Hidden Motives
Humans are designed to act selfishly while appearing selfless.
Our brains often hide our true motives from our conscious minds to better deceive others.
insights INSIGHT
The Left Brain Interpreter
Our conscious minds act like press secretaries, justifying actions rather than deciding them.
The split-brain experiments show our brains readily invent explanations for actions taken by other brain parts.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Understanding Motives
To understand your motives, start by understanding others' motives.
Assume you are similar to others; don't give yourself the benefit of the doubt.
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In 'The Age of M', Robin Hanson delves into a future scenario where brain emulations, or 'ems', become the dominant form of intelligent life. The book predicts how this shift would fundamentally change various aspects of society, including work, relationships, and overall human experience. Hanson uses economic and social analysis to describe how ems would interact, work, and live in a world where they outnumber and outperform humans. The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the potential consequences of advanced artificial intelligence and whole brain emulation on human civilization.
Robin Hanson is an Associate Professor of Economics at George Mason University and a Research Associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. His book, The Elephant In The Brain: Hidden Motives In Everyday Life, is what he and Eric discuss in this episode. They explore topics like motives, perspective, the left brain interpreter and so much more as it relates to human behavior. This episode will give you a lot of insight into yourself and others.
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In This Interview, Robin Hanson and I Discuss Motives, Human Behavior, and …
How often, we keep our true motives hidden from others
That we also keep our true motives hidden from ourselves
Modularity
The things happening at a conscious as well as an unconscious level
The left brain interpreter being like a press secretary
Needing to tell a story about our motives
Questioning whether or not you know the motives of others
That we have multiple motives for doing things
Understand others and then assume you’re a lot like them
Cynicism and Misanthropy
Perspective
The evolution to protect ourselves from each other
The need to have others like us and think well of us
Obliviation
What if others couldn’t see what you bought – that their opinion of you wouldn’t change because of what you bought – how would that change what you’d buy?
That we pay a lot for variety
Proximate and distal causes
That evolution designed us to be relatively unaware of our motives – so why is it good to know about them?
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The One You Feed 
